New records of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Epirus

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A c t a e n t o m o l o g i c a s i l e s i a n aVol. 26: (online 001): 1–22 ISSN 1230-7777, ISSN 2353-1703 (online) Bytom, February 8, 2018

New records of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Epirus, Greece

http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1169150

Lech Borowiec1, SeBaStian SaLata2

1, 2 Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Taxonomy, University of Wrocław, Przybyszewskiego 65, 51-148 Wrocław, Poland

e-mail: 1 [email protected], 2 [email protected]

ABSTRACT. New records of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Epirus, Greece.Seventy seven species of ants have been collected in Epirus (Northwestern Greece) in 2016, Messor cf. clivorum is new to Greece, 46 species are recorded from this region for the first time. At the moment 89 morphospecies are known from Epirus, 18 are identified only to complexes of cryptic taxa and their species status will be determined after future revisions.

KEY WORDS: ants, faunistics, Greece, Epirus, new regional records.

INTRODUCTION

Ant fauna of Greece is probably the richest in Europe, with about 280 species recorded within approximately 20 are endemic to this country (Borowiec 2014). Most of the recently collected material preserved in Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Taxonomy, University of Wrocław, especially from the taxonomically difficult genera as Temnothorax Mayr, 1861 and Tetramorium Mayr, 1855, remained unidentified and it is estimated that at least 320 species occur in the Greek fauna, several of them new to science (Borowiec & SaLata, unpublished data). The first comprehensive checklist, comprising the past studies on Greek ants, was done recently by LegakiS (2011). In the last few years, the ant fauna of Greece was more intensively studied, as part of the inventory of the ants of the Mediterranean region (Bračko et al. 2016, Borowiec & SaLata 2012, 2013, 2014a, 2014b, 2017a, 2017b, SaLata & Borowiec 2015a, 2015b, 2015c, 2016, 2017). As a result of those studies and including some unpublished data, Macedonia, with at least 158 species recorded, has the richest ant fauna among the geographic regions of Greece, followed by Thrace (116), Dodecanese (111), Ionian Islands (107), Aegean Islands (106), Peloponnese (102), Crete (98), Sterea Ellas (89), Thessaly (67), and Cyclades (46). At this moment Epirus, with published records for 43 species has the least known ant fauna. The only paper, demonstrating a greater number of species from Epirus noted 33 species collected in Zagori county (LegakiS 1983). Records of other 11 species were spread in various notes regarding Greek fauna (LegakiS 2011, wagner et al. 2017).

Epirus is a geographic and administrative region of Greece in the north-western part of the country with an area of 9 203 km². It is dominated by mountain ranges, with a narrow area of a Mediterranean habitats along the Ionian Sea. For such a large and diverse area, we can expect up to 110-120 ant species, given the diversity of neighboring

regions. In August and September 2016 we explored western part of the region and collected ants from 35 localities. As a result we present a list of collected ants, and a check-list of all ant species recorded so far in Epirus with comments on the taxonomy and distribution of poorly known or unnamed species.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The main method, applied at all sites, was direct sampling (hand collecting). Ant nests and individual specimens were collected on the ground, in leaf litter, under stones, in dead wood, on tree trunks and twigs. On the banks of roads and forest ants were brushed off to the entomological umbrella. On the rocks, the ants’ nests were searched in rock crevices and using a chisel they tried to obtain a full nest sample. All specimens were preserved in pure 75% ethanol. Images of ant specimens were taken using a Nikon SMZ 1500 and Nikon SMZ 18 stereomicroscopes, Nikon D5200 photo camera and Helicon Focus software. Taxa in list of collected species are arranged alphabetically. General distribution is defined after Borowiec (2014) and unpublished data from the Database and Collection of Greek Ants (DCGA) preserved at the University of Wrocław. Geographical coordinates are given in decimal degrees N/E. The locality codes refer to the position in the coding system used in the DCGA preserved at the University of Wrocław. Localities are arranged chronologically. Material is deposited in the Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Taxonomy, University of Wrocław.

LIST OF LOCALITIES

1. EPI-368 – Kanali, 39.06377/ 20.69971, 30 m, 26.08.2016, urban area;2. EPI-369 – 700 m E of Kanali, 39.0638/ 20.70621, 50 m, 27.08.2016, oak forest;3. EPI-370A – n. Kanali, 39.05458/ 20.70207, 15 m, 28.08.2016, oak forest;4. EPI-370B – n. Kanali, 39.05388/ 20.70118, 20 m, 28.08.2016, pine forest;5. EPI-371 – n. Profitis Ilias, 39.14414/ 20.67791, 495 m, 29.08.2016, pine forest;6. EPI-372 – 1.7 km N K. Myrsini, 39.15021/ 20.63868, 148 m, 29.08.2016, roadsides in deciduous forest;7. EPI-373 – n. K. Kotsanopoulo, 39.19554/ 20.72153, 95 m, 30.08.2016, stream valley with Platanus forest;8. EPI-374 – 1.2 km NW of n. A. Kotsanopoulo, 39.23467/ 20.70309, 170 m, 30.08.2016, stream valley with Platanus forest;9. EPI-375 – 2.3 km S of Sikies, 39.27264/ 20.6813, 215 m, 30.08.2016, stream valley with oak forest;10. EPI-376 – Acheron Gorge, 39.28772/ 20.68153, 190 m, 30.08.2016, oak forest;11. EPI-377 – 1.2 km S of Paleochori, 39.33311/ 20.71333, 270 m, 30.08.2016, oak forest;12. EPI-382 – n. Vourgareli, 39.37527/ 21.19403, 795 m, 1.09.2016, coniferous forest;13. EPI-383 – 2.4 km SE Pachtouri, 39.45672/ 21.27687, 655 m, 1.09.2016, deciduous forest;

Acta ent. siles. 26 (online 001) Bytom, February 8, 2018

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14. EPI-384 – 1.2 km W Kapsala, 39.38274/ 21.24446, 770 m, 1.09.2016, coniferous forest;15. EPI-385 – 1.3 km NE Athamania, 39.37919/ 21.23158, 850 m, 1.09.2016, coniferous forest;16. EPI-390 – Assos, 39.34366/ 20.76352, 440 m, 3.09.2016, oak forest;17. EPI-391 – Derviziana, 39.40497/ 20.78417, 510 m, 3.09.2016, deciduous forest;18. EPI-392 – 2 km W Vargiades, 39.46044/ 20.78932, 900 m, 3.09.2016, oak forest;19. EPI-393 – n. Analipsi, 39.47045/ 20.76412, 780 m, 3.09.2016, oak forest;20. EPI-394 – n. Lippa, 39.46813/ 20.75004, 730 m, 3.09.2016, Platanus forest;21. EPI-397 – Chrisopigi, 39.11252/ 21.20878, 580 m, 4.09.2016, stream valley with Platanus forest;22. EPI-398 – n. Petra Kidiou, 39.13167/ 21.26109, 815 m, 4.09.2016, Platanus forest;23. EPI-399 – n. Giannioti loc. 1, 39.1464/ 21.26745, 950 m, 4.09.2016, fir forest;24. EPI-400 – n. Giannioti loc. 2, 39.14579/ 21.2725, 945 m, 5.09.2016, coniferous forest;25. EPI-401 – Giannioti , 39.14318/ 21.27782, 945 m, 5.09.2016, mountain pasture;26. EPI-402 – N of Giannioti, 39.15098/ 21.27466, 920 m, 5.09.2016, coniferous forest;27. EPI-403 – 2 km S Skoulikaria, 39.158/ 21.27393, 890 m, 5.09.2016, oak forest;28. EPI-404 – 1.5 km SE Karpino, 39.20065/ 21.26353, 950 m, 5.09.2016, pastures with mixed forest;29. EPI-405 – n. Asfakero, 39.23388/ 21.23359, 790 m, 5.09.2016, oak forest;30. EPI-406 –1.9 km NE of Kanali, 39.06969/ 20.71734, 115 m, 6.09.2016, roadsides in oak forest;31. EPI-407 – n. Polineri, 39.40835/ 20.32064, 230 m, 7.09.2016, olive plantation;32. EPI-408 – 1.7 km SE of Polineri, 39.38802/ 20.33294, 355 m, 7.09.2016, oak forest;33. EPI-409 – Ammoudia, 39.2446/ 20.48102, 1 m, 7.09.2016, sands near marshes;34. EPI-410 – Kanallaki, 39.22716/ 20.62063, 110 m, 7.09.2016, stream valley with deciduous forest;35. EPI-411 – n. Megadendro, 39.12726/ 20.62408, 270 m, 7.09.2016, deciduous forest.

LIST OF COLLECTED SPECIES

1. Aphaenogaster balcanica (eMery, 1898)Localities: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 18, 25, 28, 30, 31, 32, 34, 35.Distribution: Balkan Peninsula, especially its northern and western part. From Epirus recorded

by LegakiS (1983) under name Aphaenogaster simonelli balcanica eMery, 1898.

2. Aphaenogaster epirotes (eMery, 1895)Locality: 16.Distribution: Balkan Peninsula, Italy, Turkey and Israel. New to Epirus.


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3. Aphaenogaster muelleriana woLf, 1915Localities: 13, 21.Distribution: Western part of Balkan Peninsula and NE Italy. From Epirus recorded by woLf

(1915) and LegakiS (1983) under name Aphaenogaster ovaticeps (eMery, 1898).

4. Aphaenogaster cf. subterraneaLocalities: 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 27, 30.Note: Aphaenogaster subterranea (LatreiLLe) was recorded from almost whole southern

Europe and southern parts of Central Europe, Caucasian countries and Turkey. Recent studies suggest that it is a group of cryptic species with at least 7 morphospecies occuring in Greece (Borowiec & SaLata, unpublished data), two of them were found in samples from Epirus. Their proper identification will be possible after the revision of the whole species complex. So far, at least one species was recorded from Epirus under name A. subterranea (LegakiS 1983).

5. Bothriomyrmex communistus SantSchi, 1919Locality: 13.Distribution: Western part of Mediterranean part of Europe and southern part of Central Europe

north to Czech Republic and Slovakia. From Epirus recorded by Seifert (2012).

6. Camponotus aethiops (LatreiLLe, 1798)Localities: 5, 14, 18.Distribution: Wide-spread in South Europe, southern parts of Central Europe, Caucasian

countries and Turkey. From Epirus recorded by LegakiS (1983) under name Camponotus aethiops (LatreiLLe, 1798) and its synonymical name Camponotus marginatus (LatreiLLe, 1798) but with a great probability the records of C. marginatus concern another species, C. oertzeni (see comments in the paragraph Doubtful published records).

7. Camponotus atricolor (nyLander, 1849)Locality: 11.Distribution: Austria, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Greece and Turkey (European

part). New to Epirus.

8. Camponotus dalmaticus (nyLander, 1849)Localities: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 11, 13, 17, 32, 34.Distribution: Italy, Balkan Peninsula, Turkey and the Near East. New to Epirus.

9. Camponotus fallax (nyLander, 1856)Localities: 1, 2, 3, 29.Distribution: Almost whole Europe, Caucasian countries and Turkey. New to Epirus.

10. Camponotus ionius eMery, 1920Locality: 34.Distribution: Balkan Peninsula and Turkey. New to Epirus.

11. Camponotus lateralis (oLivier, 1792)Localities: 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 19, 32.Distribution: South Europe, Caucasian countries, Turkey and the Near East. New to Epirus.


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12. Camponotus ligniperda (LatreiLLe, 1802)Locality: 15.Distribution: Europe and Turkey, in Mediterranean countries in mountains only. From Epirus

recorded by LegakiS (1983).

13. Camponotus oertzeni foreL, 1889Localities: 11, 15, 16, 25, 26, 28.Distribution: Greece, Serbia, Iran and Turkey, often misidentified with C. aethiops. From

Epirus recorded by LegakiS (2011).

14. Camponotus piceus (Leach, 1825)Localities: 2, 9, 15, 17, 25, 26, 29.Distribution: South Europe, Caucasian countries and Turkey. From Epirus recorded by LegakiS

(1983).

15. Camponotus cf. piceus Locality: 18.Note: Undescribed species noted by Seifert (2007) as C. piceus sp. 2. Known from Croatia and

Greece. New to Epirus.

16. Camponotus vagus (ScopoLi, 1763)Localities: 1, 2, 12, 28, 33.Distribution: Europe, Algeria, Georgia and Turkey. From Epirus recorded by LegakiS (1983).

17. Cataglyphis nodus (BruLLé, 1833)Localities: 2, 3, 8, 9, 11, 12, 30, 33, 35.Distribution: SE Europe, Transcaucasian countries, Turkey and the Near East. From Epirus


18. Colobospis truncata (SpinoLa, 1808)Localities: 2, 3.Distribution: Europe, northern Africa, Transcaucasian countries, Turkey and the Near East.

New to Epirus.

19. Chalepoxenus muellerianus (finzi, 1922)Locality: 14.Distribution: Social parasite of some Temnothorax species known from southern Europe and

Turkey. New to Epirus.

20. Crematogaster schmidti (Mayr, 1853)Localities: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 16, 17, 18, 20, 26, 27, 29, 30, 32, 34, 35.Distribution: SE Europe, Transcaucasian countries, Turkey and Iran. Not cited in the literature

from Epirus but probably most or all records of Crematogaster scutellaris ionia in LegakiS (1983) concern C. schmidti (see comments in the paragraph Doubtful published records). True C. ionia foreL, 1911 is xerothermophile species, common in Mediterranean habitats in Greece.

21. Crematogaster sordidula (nyLander, 1849)Localities: 9, 11.Distribution: NE Africa, Mediterranean part of Europe and western Turkey. New to Epirus.


22. Dolichoderes quadripunctatus (LinnaeuS, 1771)Localities: 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 16, 17.Distribution: Europe, Caucasian countries and Turkey. From Epirus recorded by LegakiS

(1983).

23. Formica clara foreL, 1886Locality: 1.Distribution: Europe, Caucasian countries, Turkey and the Near East. New to Epirus.

24. Formica cunicularia LatreiLLe, 1798Locality: 28.Distribution: Europe, Caucasian countries, Turkey and the Near East. From Epirus recorded

by LegakiS (1983).

25. Formica fusca LinnaeuS, 1758Localities: 13, 14, 15, 24, 26, 27.Distribution: Europe, NW Africa, Caucasian countries and Turkey. From Epirus recorded by

LegakiS (1983).

26. Formica gagates LatreiLLe, 1798Localities: 12, 20, 21.Distribution: South Europe and southern parts of Central Europe and Turkey. From Epirus


27. Hypoponera eduardi (foreL, 1894)Localities: 8, 33.Distribution: Mediterranean region, spread around the world as a tramp species. New to Epirus.

28. Lasius alienus (förSter, 1850)Localities: 1, 12, 15, 24, 27, 29.Distribution: Europe, NW Africa, Caucasian countries and Turkey. From Epirus recorded by

LegakiS (2011).

29. Lasius bombycina Seifert & gaLkowSki, 2016Localities: 13, 14, 27, 28.Distribution: Recently described species. Known from Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria,

Greece and Turkey. New to Epirus.

30. Lasius brunneus (LatreiLLe, 1798)Localities: 18, 26.Distribution: Europe, Caucasian countries and Turkey. New to Epirus.

31. Lasius emarginatus (oLivier, 1792)Localities: 12, 26.Distribution: Europe, Caucasian countries, Turkey and the Near East. From Epirus recorded by

LegakiS (1983) but probably part of his records concern Lasius illyricus.

32. Lasius flavus (faBriciuS, 1782)Localities: 15, 23, 24, 26, 28.Distribution: Europe, NW Africa, Caucasian countries, Iran and Turkey. From Epirus recorded

by LegakiS (1983).

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33. Lasius illyricus ziMMerMann, 1935Localities: 7, 8.Distribution: Croatia, Greece and Ukraine. New to Epirus.

34. Lasius cf. illyricusLocalities: 8, 24, 27.Note: This morphospecies differs from typical L. illyricus in darker body colouration, distinctly

smaller size and sparser setae on hind tibiae. Ants were collected only in very shadow habitats, close to mountain streams while typical L. illyricus prefers dry, open deciduous forests. Status of this form needs verification based on molecular studies. New to Epirus.

35. Lasius lasioides (eMery, 1869)Localities: 2, 3, 10, 19.Distribution: Mediterranean part of Europe, Transcaucasian countries and Turkey. New to

Epirus.

36. Lasius mixtus (nyLander, 1846)Locality: 26.Distribution: Europe and Caucasian countries. New to Epirus.

37. Lasius turcicus SantSchi, 1921Localities: 23, 28.Distribution: Balkan Peninsula, Georgia, Iran and Turkey. New to Epirus.

38. Lepisiota frauenfeldi (Mayr, 1855)Locality: 1.Distribution: NW Africa, Eastern part of Mediterranean Basin and Transcaucasian countries.

New to Epirus.

39. Liometopum microcephalum (panzer, 1798)Localities: 7, 11, 27.Distribution: Southern Europe from Italy to Turkey, eastern part of Central Europe, Caucasian

countries, Israel, Iran. From Epirus recorded by LegakiS (1983).

40. Messor cf. clivorumLocalities: 25, 27, 28.Note: This morphospecies belongs to M. structor group and is well characterized by very long

and flattened first segment of antennal funicle. This group of taxa needs revision where several infraspecific names of doubtful status were proposed. New to Greece and Epirus.

41. Messor hellenius agoSti & coLLingwood, 1987Locality: 8.Distribution: Recorded only from Greece and Turkish Thrace but probably most records of

M. capitatus from eastern parts of Balkan Peninsula concern M. hellenius. New to Epirus.

42. Messor cf. semirufusLocality: 33.Note: It is a member of Messor semirufus complex which comprises numerous names of

various rank, partly available to nomenclature. Most taxa were described from the eastern


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part of the Mediterranean Basin (Borowiec 2014, tohMé & tohMé 1981). Our material from Greece suggests the occurrence of at least three morphospecies of this complex in Greece. Their correct identification will be possible only after the revision of all names proposed in this group. Sample from Epirus belongs to the same morphospecies which was recorded by Bračko et al. (2016) from Thrace as Messor cf. semirufus. New to Epirus.

43. Messor cf. structorLocalities: 11, 15, 18, 21, 35.Note: According to the molecular studies, taxon previously named as a Messor structor

(LatreiLLe, 1798) comprises two cryptic species, both can be found in different parts of the Balkan Peninsula (SchLick-Steiner et al. 2006). Since many available names of various rank were proposed in the Messor structor group, the proper identification of our samples is impossible prior to the revision of this group. New to Epirus.

44. Messor wasmanni krauSSe, 1910Localities: 1, 2, 7, 29, 30, 32, 34, 35.Distribution: Eastern part of Mediterranean Basin. From Epirus recorded by LegakiS (1983)

under synonymic name Messor rufitarsis.

45. Monomorium monomorium BoLton, 1987Locality: 1.Distribution: NE Africa, South Europe, Turkey and Syria. New to Epirus.

46. Myrmecina graminicola (LatreiLLe, 1802)Localities: 2, 26, 27.Distribution: NE Africa, South and Central Europe, Caucasian countries, Turkey and the Near

East. New to Epirus.

47. Myrmoxenus ravouxi (andré, 1896)Locality: 24.Distribution: Social parasite of various Temnothorax species, known from Central and South

Europe and Turkey. New to Epirus.

48. Pheidole cf. pallidulaLocalities: 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 25, 28, 29, 31, 32, 34, 35.Note: Mediterranean populations of taxa named Pheidole pallidula (nyLander, 1849) have

been revised recently and classified into four distinct species (Seifert 2016). Three of them were recorded from Greece. Because the methodology used by Seifert (2016) to discriminate of “new taxa” is hard to verify, their status is under discussion. Former taxon “P. pallidula” was wide spread in Mediterranean area and was recorded from Epirus by LegakiS (1983). According to Seifert (2016) P. balcanica Seifert, 2016 probably occurs in this region.

49. Plagiolepis pallescens sensu radchenkoLocality: 33.Distribution and note: The status and nomenclature of taxon named by radchenko (1996)

as Plagiolepis pallescens was discussed in detail by Bračko et al. (2016). Plagiolepis pallescens senus lato was recorded from eastern part of Mediterranean Basin. Revised localities of true Plagiolepis pallescens sensu radchenko are in Greece, Caucasian countries and the Near East. New to Epirus.


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50. Plagiolepis pygmaea (LatreiLLe, 1798)Localities: 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 26, 27, 29, 30, 31, 32, 34.Distribution: Wide-spread in South Europe and southern parts of Central Europe, recorded also

from NE Africa, Middle East, Caucasus and Turkey. From Epirus recorded by LegakiS (1983).

51. Plagiolepis xene Stärcke, 1936Locality: 14.Distribution: Social parasite of other Plagiolepis species known from South Europe, southern

parts of Central Europe and Turkey. New to Epirus.

52. Ponera coarctata (LatreiLLe, 1802)Localities: 11, 19, 20, 25, 27, 29.Distribution: Wide-spread in Europe, NW Africa, Caucasian countries, Turkey and the Near

East. From Epirus recorded by LegakiS (1983).

53. Prenolepis nitens (Mayr, 1853)Localities: 17, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28.Distribution: SE Europe, Georgia and Turkey. From Epirus recorded by LegakiS (1983).

54. Solenopsis cf. lusitanica sp. 1Localities: 5, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 28, 34.Note: The status of most European species of genus Solenopsis requires an extensive revision.

gaLkowSki et al. (2010) redescribed Solenopsis fugax and suggested that four distinct species groups occur in the territory of Europe and the Mediterranean area and that several taxa proposed by Bernard (1950) are probably synonyms, but they did not take any formal nomenclatorial decisions. In Epirus, we found samples belonging to at least two distinct morphospecies of S. lusitanica complex. LegakiS (1983) recorded from Epirus Solenopsis sp. and suggested its relationships with S. orbula eMery, 1875. However, short description noted in his paper placed his sample rather to S. lusitanica complex. New to Epirus.

55. Solenopsis cf. lusitanica sp. 2Locality: 13.Note: see note to Solenopsis cf. lusitanica sp. 1. New to Epirus.

56. Stigmatomma denticulatum roger, 1859Locality: 8.Distribution: Morocco and eastern part of Mediterranean area from Italy to Turkey. New to

Epirus.

57. Tapinoma erraticum (LatreiLLe, 1798)Localities: 1, 7, 8, 11, 13, 28.Distribution: Wide-spread in Central and South Europe, Caucasian countries and Turkey. From

Epirus recorded by LegakiS (1983).

58. Temnothorax cf. albipennisLocality: 22.Note: Greek species of Temnothorax unifasciatus/tuberum complex require revision.

Populations from Greece slightly differ from populations from Central Europe and perhaps represent other cryptic species. New to Epirus.


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59. Temnothorax bulgaricus (foreL, 1892)Localities: 2, 4, 10.Distribution: SE Europe and Turkey. New to Epirus.

60. Temnothorax crassispinus (karavaiev, 1926)Locality: 27.Distribution: Europe, in Greece in its western part. Recorded from Epirus by LegakiS (1983)

under name Leptothorax nylanderi and by Seifert & CSőSz (2015).

61. Temnothorax exilis (eMery, 1869)Localities: 18, 34.Distribution: Mediterranean part of Europe and Turkey. New to Epirus.

62. Temnothorax cf. interruptusLocality: 34.Note: This is a new species known from Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece and Turkey. Its description

will be published in a revision of Temnothorax interruptus complex ( CSőSz et al. in print). New to Epirus.

63. Temnothorax lichtensteini (Bondroit, 1918)Localities: 5, 9, 10, 11, 32.Distribution: South Europe north to Austria and Turkey. From Epirus recorded by CSőSz et al.

(2014a).

64. Temnothorax parvulus (Schenck, 1852)Localities: 8, 13, 16, 17, 19, 20, 23, 24, 26, 29, 32.Distribution: Central and South Europe, Caucasian countries, Iran and Turkey. New to Epirus.

65. Temnothorax recedens (nyLander, 1856)Localities: 14, 29.Distribution: NE Africa, Mediterranean part of Europe, Turkey and Israel. New to Epirus.

66. Temnothorax rogeri eMery, 1869Localities: 1, 2, 5, 32, 34.Distribution: Croatia, Greece and Montenegro. New to Epirus.

67. Temnothorax semiruber (andré, 1881)Locality: 14.Distribution: Balkan Peninsula, Turkey and the Near East. New to Epirus.

68. Temnothorax cf. tauricusLocalities: 2, 3, 4.Note: This is an arboricolous species, in Greece collected only from Ionian Islands and coastal

part of Epirus. This is the same species recorded by Bračko et al. (2014) from Montenegro as Temnothorax sp. 1 (Bračko pers. inf.). It belongs to T. unifasciatus complex. It is similar to Temnothorax tauricus (ruzSky, 1902) known from Armenia, Bulgaria, Ukraine and Caucasus, but differs in several details. Its status will be clarified after the revision of all Greek species of T. unifasciatus complex. New to Epirus.


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69. Temnothorax cf. turcicusLocality: 27.Note: Greek species of Temnothorax unifasciatus/tuberum complex requires revision.

Morphospecies from locality 27 is similar to Temnothorax turcicus (SantSchi, 1934), known from Austria, Greek Macedonia and Turkey. New to Epirus.

70. Temnothorax tergestinus (finzi, 1928)Localities: 23, 25.Distribution: Central Europe and Balkan Peninsula. New to Epirus.

71. Temnothorax cf. tuberumLocalities: 12, 13, 18, 28.Note: Greek species of Temnothorax unifasciatus/tuberum complex requires revision.

Populations from Greece slightly differ from populations from Central Europe and perhaps represent other cryptic species. New to Epirus.

72. Temnothorax cf. unifasciatusLocality: 24.Note: Greek species of Temnothorax unifasciatus/tuberum complex requires revision.

Populations from Greece slightly differ from populations from Central Europe and perhaps represent other cryptic species. Recorded from Epirus by LegakiS (1983) under name Temnothorax unifasciatus.

73. Tetramorium cf. caespitumLocalities: 1, 7, 13, 14, 26.Note: According to wagner et al. (2017), ten distinct species of T. cf. caespitum complex

occur in Europe. At least one species of this complex was recorded from Epirus by LegakiS (1983). wagner et al. (2017) recorded from Epirus Tetramorium breviscapus wagner, arthofer, Seifert, MuSter, Steiner & SchLick-Steiner, 2017, newly described from Croatia, Bosnia and Hercegovina and Pindos Mountains in Epirus but our samples without doubts belong to T. caespitum or T. impurum. Both species to proper identification need nest samples with males but we have only workers.

74. Tetramorium diomedeum eMery, 1908Localities: 32, 33.Distribution: Balkan Peninsula and Turkey. New to Epirus.

75. Tetramorium cf. flavidulumLocality: 33.Note: In the eastern part of Mediterranean Basin, Tetramorium flavidulum group is represented

by several morphospecies with centre of diversity in Anatolian Turkey (our unpublished data). Material from Greece suggests the occurrence of at least three distinct species in this country. Proper identification of the sample from Epirus is impossible prior to the revision of all taxa of T. flaviulum group. New to Epirus.

76. Tetramorium kephalosi SaLata & Borowiec, 2017Locality: 11.Distribution: Recently described species known only from Croatia and Greece, but probably

many records of Tetramorium semilaeve from Balkan countries concern T. kephalosi. From Epirus recorded by SaLata & Borowiec (2017).


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77. Tetramorium moravicum kratochviL, 1941Localities: 14, 33.Distribution: South Europe and southern parts of Central Europe and Turkey. From Epirus

recorded by CSőSz et al. (2007).

DOUBTFUL PUBLISHED RECORDS

Aphaenogaster festae eMery, 1915LegakiS (2011) recorded this species from Epirus based on unpublished checklist of

ants of Greece prepared by c.a. coLLingwood. This taxon is distributed only in eastern Greece, from Thrace to Dodecanese, and LegakiS (2011) record probably concerns a similar species A. muelleriana woLf, 1915.

Aphaenogaster ionia SantSchi, 1933LegakiS (2011) recorded from Epirus both Aphaenogaster balcanica (eMery, 1898) and

Aphaenogaster ionia SantSchi, 1933. According to the recent revision of European species of A. testaceopilopsa group (Boer 2013), both names are synonymous.

Aphaenogaster ovaticeps (eMery, 1898)A. ovaticeps was recorded from Epirus by woLf (1915) and LegakiS (1983). Our

material of the species of A. ovaticeps complex and study of A. ovaticeps type specimen show that the complex comprises three species, partly separated geographically: true A. ovaticeps from northern Italy, A. muelleriana from Northeastern Italy, Ionian Islands and Adriatic coast from Croatia to southern Epirus, and an undescribed taxon from western Sterea Ellas and western and southern Peloponnese, wrongly identified as A. splendida by Borowiec & SaLata (2013). Therefore the records of woLf (1915) and LegakiS (1983) certainly concern A. muelleriana.

Camponotus marginatus (LatreiLLe, 1798)LegakiS (1983) recorded this taxon from Aoos river near Konitsa, but the name is recently

treated as synonym of Camponotus aethiops (LatreiLLe, 1798). With great probability LegakiS (1983) record concerns a similar species Camponotus oertzeni foreL, 1889 which was frequently reported from SE Europe under name C. marginatus.

Crematogaster scutellaris ionia foreL, 1911LegakiS (1983) recorded this taxon from four localities in Zagori area and noted that it is

very common species there. According to our material, only Crematogaster schmidti (Mayr, 1853) occurs in Epirus, where it is one of the commonest arboricolous ants. Crematogaster ionia foreL, 1911, however, is more common in mediterranean habitats of central and southern Greece. Its presence in Epirus is possible in coastal part of the region, while in mountains of Zagori its presence is doubtful, therefore the records by LegakiS (1983) most probably concern C. schmidti. Taxa of C. schmidti/ionia group need revision based on molecular studies. Our material from Balkan Peninsula and Aegean Turkey suggests that it is complex of several cryptic species.

Lasius niger (LinnaeuS, 1758)LegakiS (2011) recorded this species from Epirus but only known relevant old references indi-

cate occurrence of this species in this part of Balkan Peninsula only from Republic of Macedonia and Greek Western Macedonia Region, near the border with Epirus. Lasius niger complex, after revision by Seifert (1992), comprise several species, partly described recently. Thus all records before this revision are unreliable and need confirmation. True Lasius niger (LinnaeuS, 1758) is very rare in Greece (Borowiec & SaLata 2012).


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Leptothorax nylanderi (förSter, 1850)LegakiS (1983) recorded this species from Vrissohori and Kapesovo. Recent revision

of Temnothorax nylanderi group by CSőSz et al. (2015) demonstrated that populations from northwestern Greece belong to T. crassispinus (karavaiev, 1926) while true T. nylanderi is more western species, with no certain records from Greece.

Messor rufitarsis (faBriciuS, 1804)LegakiS (1983) recorded this species from 10 localities in Epirus and noted that it is very

common species. He probably misinterpreted this taxon with Messor rufitarsis förSter, 1850, now synonym of Messor barbarus (LinnaeuS, 1767), while Messor rufitarsis (faBriciuS, 1804) is now synonym of Messor structor (LatreiLLe, 1798). Messor barbarus was recorded as common species from several countries of Balkan Peninsula but now populations from this region are treated as independent taxon Messor wasmanni krauSSe, 1910 while true M. barbarus occurs only in the western part of Mediterranean basin. Both M. wasmanni and M. structor sensu lato (see note above under Messor cf. structor) occur in Epirus but only the first species is common in this area. Messor structor has cryptic life and appears rare. We conclude that LegakiS (1983) records of Messor rufitarsis (Fabricius, 1804) from Epirus concern Messor wasmanni.

Proformica nitida kuznetSov-ugaMSky, 1923LegakiS (2011) recorded this species from Epirus based on unpublished checklist of ants of

Greece prepared by c. a. coLLingwood. According to the revision of the genus Proformica by dLuSSky (1969), this is Central Asiatic species, therefore its occrence in Greece is doubtful and probably concerns some other species of the genus.

Tetramorium semilaeve andré, 1889LegakiS (1983) recorded this species from Vissahora. Recent revisions of

the Tetramorium semilaeve complex showed that true T. semilaeve is distributed only in western part of Mediterranean Basin (Borowiec et al. 2015, 2016, SaLata & Borowiec 2017). In Greece occur at least two other species of this group: recently described Tetramorium kephalosi SaLata & Borowiec, 2017 and T. hippocratis agoSti & coLLingwood, 1987. The second species is known only from Thrace, Dodecanese and Crete while T. kephalosi is widespread in Greece. LegakiS (1983) record concerns probably this taxon.

Checklist of ants of Epirus

1. Aphaenogaster balcanica (eMery, 1898)2. Aphaenogaster epirotes (eMery, 1895)3. Aphaenogaster muelleriana woLf, 19154. Aphaenogaster cf. subterranea5. Bothriomyrmex communistus SantSchi, 19196. Camponotus aethiops (LatreiLLe, 1798)7. Camponotus atricolor (nyLander, 1849)8. Camponotus dalmaticus (nyLander, 1849)9. Camponotus fallax (nyLander, 1856)10. Camponotus ionius eMery, 192011. Camponotus lateralis (oLivier, 1792)


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12. Camponotus ligniperda (LatreiLLe, 1802)13. Camponotus oertzeni foreL, 188914. Camponotus piceus (Leach, 1825)15. Camponotus cf. piceus 16. Camponotus vagus (ScopoLi, 1763)17. Cataglyphis nodus (BruLLé, 1833)18. Chalepoxenus muellerianus (finzi, 1922)19. Colobospis truncata (SpinoLa, 1808)20. Crematogaster cf. ionia21. Crematogaster schmidti (Mayr, 1853)22. Crematogaster sordidula (nyLander, 1849)23. Dolichoderes quadripunctatus (LinnaeuS, 1771)24. Formica cinerea Mayr, 185325. Formica clara foreL, 188626. Formica cunicularia LatreiLLe, 179827. Formica fusca LinnaeuS, 175828. Formica gagates LatreiLLe, 179829. Formica lugubris zetterStedt, 183830. Formica rufibarbis faBriciuS, 179331. Hypoponera eduardi (foreL, 1894)32. Lasius alienus (förSter, 1850)33. Lasius bombycina Seifert & gaLkowSki, 201634. Lasius brunneus (LatreiLLe, 1798)35. Lasius emarginatus (oLivier, 1792)36. Lasius flavus (faBriciuS, 1782)37. Lasius illyricus ziMMerMann, 193538. Lasius cf. illyricus39. Lasius lasioides (eMery, 1869)40. Lasius mixtus (nyLander, 1846)41. Lasius turcicus SantSchi, 192142. Lepisiota frauenfeldi (Mayr, 1855)43. Liometopum microcephalum (panzer, 1798)44. Messor cf. clivorum45. Messor hellenius agoSti & coLLingwood, 198746. Messor cf. semirufus47. Messor cf. structor


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48. Messor wasmanni krauSSe, 191049. Monomorium monomorium BoLton, 198750. Myrmecina graminicola (LatreiLLe, 1802)51. Myrmica ravasinii finzi, 192352. Myrmica ruginodis nyLander, 184653. Myrmica sabuleti Meinert, 186154. Myrmoxenus ravouxi (andré, 1896)55. Pheidole cf. pallidula56. Plagiolepis pallescens sensu Radchenko

57. Plagiolepis pygmaea (LatreiLLe, 1798)58. Plagiolepis xene Stärcke, 193659. Ponera coarctata (LatreiLLe, 1802)60. Prenolepis nitens (Mayr, 1853)61. Proceratium algiricum foreL, 189962. Proformica cf. nasuta63. Solenopsis cf. lusitanica sp. 164. Solenopsis cf. lusitanica sp. 265. Stenamma striatulum eMery, 189566. Stigmatomma denticulatum roger, 185967. Tapinoma erraticum (LatreiLLe, 1798)68. Temnothorax cf. albipennis69. Temnothorax bulgaricus (foreL, 1892)70. Temnothorax crassispinus (karavaiev, 1926)71. Temnothorax exilis (eMery, 1869)72. Temnothorax lichtensteini (Bondroit, 1918)73. Temnothorax cf. interruptus74. Temnothorax parvulus (Schenck, 1852)75. Temnothorax recedens (nyLander, 1856)76. Temnothorax rogeri eMery, 186977. Temnothorax semiruber (andré, 1881)78. Temnothorax cf. tauricus79. Temnothorax cf. turcicus80. Temnothorax tergestinus (finzi, 1928)81. Temnothorax cf. tuberum82. Temnothorax cf. unifasciatus83. Tetramorium breviscapus wagner, arthofer, Seifert, MuSter, Steiner & SchLick-

Steiner, 2017


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84. Tetramorium cf. caespitum85. Tetramorium diomedeum eMery, 190886. Tetramorium cf. flavidulum87. Tetramorium impurum (förSter, 1850)88. Tetramorium kephalosi SaLata & Borowiec, 201789. Tetramorium moravicum kratochviL, 1941

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to Dr. J. Świętojańska (University of Wrocław, Poland) for her assistance during field trips of the senior author.

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Figs 1–2. 1. Aphaenogaster muelleriana woLf, worker; 2. Messor hellenius agoSti & coLLingwood, major worker (scale bar = 1 mm) (photo L. Borowiec).

Ryc. 1–2. 1. Aphaenogaster muelleriana woLf, robotnica; 2. Messor hellenius agoSti & coLLingwood, dużarobotnica (skala = 1 mm) (fot. L. Borowiec).


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Figs 3–4. 3. Camponotus cf. piceus, minor worker; 4. Stigmatomma denticulatum roger, worker (scale bar = 1 mm) (photo L. Borowiec).

Ryc. 3–4. 3. Camponotus cf. piceus, mała robotnica; 4. Stigmatomma denticulatum roger, robotnica (skala = 1 mm) (fot. L. Borowiec).


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Figs 5–6. 5. Lasius mixtus (nyLander), worker; 6. Monomorium monomorium BoLton, worker (scale barfor 5 = 1 mm, for 6 = 0.5 mm) (photo L. Borowiec).

Ryc. 5–6. 5. Lasius mixtus (nyLander), robotnica; 6. Monomorium monomorium BoLton, robotnica (skala dla5 = 1 mm, dla 6 = 0.5 mm) (fot. L. Borowiec).


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Figs 7–8. 7. Lasius bombycina Seifert & gaLkowSki, worker; 8. Temnothorax semiruber (andré), worker (scale bar = 1 mm) (photo L. Borowiec).

Ryc. 7–8. 7. Lasius bombycina Seifert & gaLkowSki, robotnica; 8. Temnothorax semiruber (andré), robotnica(skala = 1 mm) (fot. L. Borowiec).


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STRESZCZENIE

Nowe stwierdzenia mrówek (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) z prowincji Epirus, Grecja

W czasie badań faunistycznych mrówek prowincji Epirus (północno-zachodnia Grec-ja) złowiono 77 gatunków, 46 z nich nie było do tej pory podawanych z tej części Grecji. Obecnie lista gatunków znanych z Epirusu obejmuje 89 gatunków, 18 z nich jest zakla-syfikowanych tylko do kompleksów kryptycznych taksonów, których status gatunkowy będzie weryfikowany w przyszłych rewizjach. Przedyskutowano też 10 gatunków, które były podawane z prowincji Epirus, prawdopodobnie przez błędne oznaczenie lub błędną interpretację. Osiem interesujących gatunków zilustrowano na kolorowych fotografiach.

Accepted: 19 January 2018; published: 8 February 2018Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/


Documents

New records of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Epirus